this is the first fanfiction I've written in quite some time ( thanks to some inspiration from a friend ) and I decided to go back to my anime/manga roots to write something for Trigun. :)
I don't own anything related to this franchise, though I do own my original characters.
This isn't going to be an extremely long story, but I hope all of you enjoy it nonetheless!

Dark hair fanned out on the dusty ground, framing a pale face that looked as soft as peach skin, her blue eyes being shielded by a slender arm while she laid in the shade of a building. She was tired of working, tired of standing, tired of this heat. The young woman was wearing a plain black dress that came an inch above her knees, her legs bare while her feet were clad in leather shoes, and in her left fist she held a floppy grey hat. They were about the only clothes she owned, much to her dismay, but thankfully she was done growing.

While she lay there, contemplating burying herself in the dirt, she'd come to the conclusion that there was something rather off about today, and she wasn't entirely sure why. A gut feeling told her that she needed to keep herself composed, and well, working in this heat definitely wasn't helping.

Dusting off her arms and legs and anywhere else she could reach, she tugged the grey hat firmly onto her head and tread home, walking at a leisurely pace. The young woman never fancied herself as anything special, but she'd always dreamed of working alongside the folks who took care of the plant within their city. Her father used to help monitor the plant, until he'd been killed by a gang of outlaws for being at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

"Oi, Jodie!"

She twisted around to face whoever had called her name, a young man with chestnut hair, lightly freckled cheeks and a tanned complexion came scrambling to catch up. By the time he'd reached her, a flooding smell of alcohol filled her nostrils and she had to suppress the disappointed scowl that threatened. If there was one thing that Jodie hated most, besides outlaws, was drinking, and if there was ever a wasted mind being pickled by whiskey, it was her brother Dirk's.

Before their father's death, six years ago, Dirk had been well on his way to becoming a proper scientist; the boy was a damned genius! Jodie Westfield had always harbored mild jealousy and great awe for her brother's ability to solve most anything; even while under pressure, he'd always been quick off the jaw and could easily talk out of any situation.

However, the 27-year-old had fallen into treacherous despair, and blamed himself for their father being murdered, 'if only I had been to work on time... if only... if only...' those were common lines that Jodie and their mother heard for well over a year before Dirk picked up the bottle. Now he drowned himself in liquor and begged Jodie for spare change to get more. And no matter how much she hated him drinking, she gave in every time. Jodie loved her brother dearly, but she hated seeing him in pain. And as sick as it was to feed his problem, he was always a lot more cheerier with a mug of beer in his hand. At least he wasn't an angry drunk, she justified to herself.

"Hey, Jodie," He smiled sloppily, with a pained obviousness that he'd been drinking for quite some time, "how're... how're you?" At least he was having the courtesy to hold a conversation, usually he went straight for the kill and asked for money immediately.

"I'm okay, Dirk," Jodie replied stiffly and began rummaging around for some change in her pack, her hands softly trembling while she searched; she was suddenly feeling very nervous; scared, even.

"Woah, woa-" Dirk rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing a bit harder than he probably realized, his breath hot on her face as he slurred, "M'not- I don't want yer money. I got someone else payin' tonight an'- an' I want you to meet'em. Real nice, they are."

Her chest tightened, and if it weren't for the wide brim of her hat, she was sure Dirk would have seen the fear on her face. Dirk wasn't the only one who had changed since their father's death. Jodie cleared her throat, her hand still in her pack while she clasped slim fingers around the small dagger residing within. "Well... if you insist."

Dirk let out a garbled laugh, a pleased look spreading on his lips as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Jodie's brother stood a good foot and a half taller than her, so he had to hunch over a bit while he led them back to his 'secondary' home. Another thing that Jodie hated, and dreaded, was the Blackwater Saloon. If there was ever a place that crawled with shady guys... and gals... was this ramshackle hut. Every one of them looked exactly the same to her: inebriated, slathering fools who stunk of dead animal and probably hadn't been further than a step away from their drink in years; not only that, but most of them could hardly be understood.

She found herself shrinking closer to Dirk, as well as gripping tighter onto the dagger in her bag, while they made their way passed tables and grabby patrons who gave her sleazy smiles. "'Ere we are, 'ere we are." Dirk was all in high-spirits, but of course, how could he not be? He'd found a free 'meal ticket' for lack of better words. He flopped onto an open chair and slouched back, his right hand already holding a filled glass, and a loud belch of delight escaped him after taking a long swig.

Jodie sat uncomfortably on a wooden chair next to Dirk, the dagger pulled out but remaining on her lap while she glanced around, wary of anyone who talked or laughed too loud.

"Uh, hello!" She snapped her gaze toward the stranger who sat across from her, his bright eyes friendly and curious. Jodie hadn't even noticed that he'd been there the whole time, and she found herself embarrassed and feeling guilty.

"Hi," Forcing a small smile, and ever polite, she continued, "I'm sorry for not introducing myself... I'm Jodie. You are?"

"Oh, uh, I'm-"

"This fella 'ere is Vash!" Dirk chortled, knocking back another swig, and he patted the other roughly on the back so the blonde was forcibly lurched forward between each hit. Vash took the pats good-naturedly enough, his mouth twisted in a weak smile and his brows furrowed together as he let out a nervous laugh.

Jodie raised an eyebrow, "Your name is awfully similar to someone else's."

"Well, y'know! I get that a lot!" Vash raised his hands, waving them slightly before melting back to the table and nursing a small glass of water between his palms. He looked about as awkward as Jodie felt.

"Now how'd you end up companions with my brother?" Jodie asked, attempting to loosen the mood, and honestly, she was curious.

"Oh... just-just lost a bet." The blonde smiled meekly at her, and rested a hand on his forehead, "I was bested by him while he was flat-out drunk, kinda silly, huh?"

She struggled not to burst out laughing, instead letting out a quiet giggle as her hand covered the small smirk that had crept onto her features. Vash started laughing with her and eventually, Dirk was chuckling, too, even if he didn't entirely understand as to why. Once Jodie had composed herself, she gasped out, "My brother has a knack for deceiving people. I'd be careful not to place anymore bets against him." Vash's face seemed to entirely light up when she spoke, more than likely proud of himself for getting Jodie to relax.

"I think I've learned my lesson, lemme tell you." He nodded, idly taking a sip of water while he leaned back in a chair and stretched out his long legs beside the table.

Dirk was nodding off in his seat, mumbling words under his breath while the half-empty cup swayed dangerously close to falling from his fingers. Jodie quickly shot up and grabbed the cup from his hand, she'd completely forgotten about the dagger that she still held, and another bout of embarrassment flooded her when Vash pointed it out.

"Uh, you see... I've-I've-" Jodie paused, glancing around her and that feeling of unease swarmed her again. Everyone's eyes were on Jodie's small frame and the dagger that glittered in the fading light, "I needed to cut some loose thread from Dirk's vest!" Quickly redeeming herself, she did happen to find a frayed spot and easily hacked it away. "I really think I should get going. I appreciate you taking care of my brother... he uh, he needs more friends." Even ones that were only made by a silly bet, Jodie thought as she shoved the weapon back into her bag, and was made ready to leave, before accidentally knocking into someone behind her.

"Oh... shit.." She whispered, her voice trembling as she turned to peer at whoever she'd bumped into. The fellow was towering and rather bulky; he'd been eyeing her since their arrival, and Jodie swallowed nervously as she stared up into his small, piggish eyes while a devilish smile wormed its way onto his thick lips. She bowed slightly, before taking a tentative step away from him, "I'm so very, very sorry."

He made a grab for her, but Jodie easily ducked passed him, skittering around and dodging other drunkards that tried to snatch at her. She darted quickly through the double doors, Dirk and his new companion readily forgotten, and made a beeline back home, tears stinging her eyes as she ran, the cool night air enveloping her in a chilly embrace.